Thunderbolt 3/14/2024

News/Features:page3

JCSEexercise

News/Features:page3

Canines the unseen shield

Week in photos:page4

Images fromthe week

Community: page 11

Events, Chapel, more...

AnAirmanassignedtothe6th Aircraft MaintenanceSquadronembracesalovedoneafter returningfromadeploymentat MacDill AirForceBase March4. AirForce deploymentsrangeinlengthdependingonthe careerfield,location and mission needs,and require Airmento be awayfrom home fortheduration ofthetour.

PhotobySeniorAirmanJoshuaHastings

NEWS/FEATURES

MacDillconductsSNORT to prepareforNORI

byAirman1stClassDerrickBole 6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

Servicemembersandciviliansbase-wideat MacDillgatheredforthebase’sfirsteverSimulatedNuclearOperationalReadinessTraining exerciseatMacDillAir ForceBase, Florida, Mar. 4-6,2024.

Participantsintheexercisepracticedreadinessthroughfastaircrafttakeoffs, increment monitortraining, cargohandling, andotherfacetsthatcatertoMacDill’smissioninsupportof nuclearoperationalreadiness.

“Attheendoftheday, weknowourtraining willpayoff,” said U.S. Air ForceCol.EdSzczepanik,6thAirRefueling Wingdeputycommander. “TheSNORTallowsustotrainour Airmen’sspeed,knowledge, andcapabilityto defendourgreatcountry.”

Thetrainingcontainedan801Xexercise, whichtestedaircrewontheirabilitytoget a KC-135Stratotankerintheairasfastpossible, consistedof18teamsofsixAirmenfromthe 6thOperationsGroupandthe6thMaintenance Group. Eachgrouplfoughttobethefastestand mostefficientteamtogetaKC-135flying. The bestthreeteamswere awardedgold, silverand bronzemedals, respectively.

PhotobyAirman1stClassDerrickBole

Airmenassignedtothe6thOperationsGroupandthe6thMaintenanceGroupracefromtoKC135Stratotankersduringan801XatMacDillAirForceBaseMar.6.18teamscompetedtobethe fastestteamtogetaKC-135totakeoff.

“TheSNORThelpedtokeepourAirmenin thebestshapeforreadiness,” saidSzczepanik. “Aboveall else, the SNORT wasaboutdeterrence. Exerciseslikethisletouradversaries knowthatwecanrespondfasttoanysituation,

COMMANDER’SACTIONLINE

TheActionLineprovidestwo-waycommunicationbetweenthe 6thAirRefueling Wingcommander and theMacDillcommunity. Personnelmaysubmitquestions,concernsorcommentsviaemailto macdillwingcommander@us.af.mil or Facebook@6thARWCommandTeam

MacDill Thunderbolt

Publisher: Joe Deluca

Editor: Nick Stubbs

The MacDillThunderbolt ispublishedby the Times Publishing Company, a private firm in no wayconnected with the U.S. Air Force. This commercial enterprise newspaper is anauthorized publication for distribution to members of the U.S. militaryservices on MacDill. Contents of the MacDill Thunderbolt are notnecessarily the officialviews of,or endorsed by the U.S. government,the Departmentof Defense,

the Departmentof the Air Force or the6th Air Refueling Wing.

The appearance of advertisingin thispublication,includinginserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsementby the Departmentof Defense, the Departmentof the Air Force,6th Air Refueling Wingor the Publishing Companyof the products or serviceadvertised.

For retail advertising, call (813)226-3318.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, orpatronagewithout regard to race,color, religion, sex, nationalorigin, age, marital status, physical handicap,politicalaffiliationor any other non-merit factorof the purchaser,user,orpatron.

nomatterthecircumstance. OurAirmenare fast, andweprovedtodaythatwecanreactto anything.”

SeeSNORT, Page8

MacDillontheweb

Website: www.macdill.af.mil

Facebook: www.facebook.com/

MacDillAirForceBase

Instagram: macdill_afb

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Newsitems for the MacDillThunderbolt can be submitted tothe6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs office,8208 Hangar Loop Dr., suite14, MacDill,FL 33621. Call the Thunderbolt at828-2215. : 6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@us.af.mil.

Deadline forarticle submissions isnoon, Wednesdays to appear in the next week’s publication. Articlesreceived after deadline may be considered for future use. All submissions areconsidered for publicationbased onnews value and timeliness.

Everyarticleandphotographis edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Stylebook andLibel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101.

JCSEdevelopsskills duringmission readiness employmentexercise

bySeniorAirmanZacharyFoster 6thAirRefuelingWing,PublicAffairs

Withanever changingglobalbattlefield,the needfor clearandconstantcommunicationis moreimportantthanever.

To ensurecommunicationsare availableanywhereandatanytime, servicemembersassignedtothe JointCommunicationsSupport Element(JCSE)completedamissionreadiness employmentexerciseatMacDillAir ForceBase, Florida,March4-8.

“Thegoalofthisexerciseistosimulatefullyextendingourmanning,” said U.S. Air Force StaffSgtBennettAtencio, 1st JointCommunicationsSupportSquadronjointtacticalcommunicationsystemtechnician.“Thatmeanswe’re havingcommunicatorsfromintelligence, security, operations, planningandanythingelsecome togethertoseewhatourtotalcapabilitiesare.”

SeeJCSE,Page9

U.S.AirForceStaffSgtBennettAtencio,1stJointCommunicationsSupportSquadronjoint tacticalcommunicationsystemtechnician,performsequipmentmaintenanceduringamission readinessemploymentexerciseatMacDillAirForceBaseMarch7.Duringtheexercise,Atencioandthe restofthe1stJCSSteamweretaskedtocreateandoperateaforeignenvironment commandcenterwiththecapabilitiestocommunicatevitalinformationlongdistanceswithout endangeringtheoperationalsecurityofthemission.

MacDill’scanineguardians: theunseenshield

bySeniorAirmanMichaelKillian 6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

The6thSecurity ForcesSquadron’sMilitary WorkingDogs(MWD)are notjustpets;theyarehighlytrainedassets, crucialtothebase’ssecurity operations.

MWD Jennyisthenewestherotojointhepack, andthroughtraining withherhandlershewillbecomeacriticaladditiontotheteam.

Thesquadron,taskedwiththecomprehensivetraininganddeploymentofMWD’s, currentlymanagesninedogs, withauthorization for eleven.Thesedogsareresponsibleforconductingseveralthousandvehiclesearchesandensuringsecuritypriortohigh-profilevisits.

Handlersandtheirdogsundergodailytraining, usuallyaround60-70 minimumhoursaweektohonetheirskills, withafocusonbothnarcoticsandexplosivedetection. Jenny’s currentgoalistobecomepatrolcertified,aventurethatinvolvesadvancedtrainingandreliesonastrong trustandteamworkbetweenMWDsandtheirhandlers.

SeeCANINE,Page10

U.S.AirForceSeniorAirmanNathanKarlovich,aMilitary WorkingDog handlerassignedtothe6thSecurityForcesSquadron,andMWDJenny poseforaphotoatMacDillAirForceBaseMarch6.Handlersandtheir dogsundergodailytrainingtohonetheirskills,withafocusonnarcoticsdetection.Jennyisintheprocessofbecomingpatrolcertified, whichinvolvesadvancedtraining.

PhotobySeniorAirmanZacharyFoster

PhotobySeniorAirmanMichaelKillian

Airmenassignedtothe6th OperationsGroupassist recentlydeployedmembers in removingbelongings fromaKC-135Stratotanker at MacDillAir ForceBase March4.Airmenassigned tothe50thAirRefueling Squadron returnedtoMacDillafterbeingdeployedto theU.S.CentralCommand areaof responsibility.

AnF-35ALightningIIassignedtothe33rd FighterWing,EglinAirForce Base,Florida,conductsaerial refuelingtrainingwithaKC-135Stratotankerassignedtothe6thAirRefuelingWingMarch1,overtheGulfof Mexico.TheKC-135aircrewconsistedofallfemalestokick-off Women’sHistoryMonth.The33FWmanagestheF-35Academic Training CenterwhichprovidestrainingtoU.S.AirForce,MarineCorps,Navy, andforeignnations.

Airmenassignedtothe6thAirRefuelingWinglistentoapre-flightbriefingatMacDillAirForceBaseMarch1.Theair refuelingmissionprovidedanopportunityforwomenacrosstheinstallationtoexperience theimpactoftheireffortsfirsthand.Incelebrationof Women’sHistory Month,Airmenworea redbandanainspiredby“RosietheRiveter,” a symboloffemaleempowermentintheworkforce.

PhotobySeniorAirmanJessicaDo

PhotobySeniorAirmanZacharyFoster

Photoby Tech.Sgt.LutherMitchell

DAFpublishes

SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

ARLINGTON, Va (AFNS)—TheDepartmentoftheAir Forcerepublisheditsdressandpersonalappearanceinstructiontosimplify, clarify andamplifymany changesforAirmenandGuardians servingworldwide.

TherevisedDAFI36-2903,Dressand PersonalAppearanceofDepartmentoftheAir Force Personnel, incorporatespolicy changesfromthe 102ndAir ForceUniformBoard,incorporatesallotherguidancememorandumsandfeaturesupdatedgraphicsforvisual clarity.

“We’vereviewedthepolicyinwholetomakecertainwearecommunicatingstandards clearly, makingitaneasiertoolforcommanders, supervisors, AirmenandGuardians,” saidLt.Gen.CarolineMiller, deputy chief ofstaffforManpower,PersonnelandServices. “Revisionsweremadeover anumberofyears, butwefelttheneedtorevisittheentiredocumentto removeredundancies, out-of-dateinformationanddecreasesubjectivity.”

Theupdatedpolicyoutlines:

•ReligiousAccommodationProcess

•No-hat,No-saluteareas

•SpecializednametagwearforDAFand JointChiefssupportstaff

•Two-pieceflightdutyuniform

•Bags, toincludegymbag, backpack,handbags

•Flightdutyuniformpolicy

• Femalewearofmessdresstrousersorslacks

• Wearofcapsforbaldnessorhairlossduetomedicalconditions

• PermanentwearofEPMEbadge

•Security ForcesshieldontheOCP uniform

•Beverageconsumptionwhile walkinginuniform

• Wearofcoldweatherheadbands

•Authorizedwearofcommercialmaternitycold weatherouterwear

• Wingcommanderdelegationtoapprove religiousregalia

•Organizationalemblemsonthebackofmoraleshirt

•Heritagemoralepatchesontheflightdutyuniform

Italsohighlightsauthorizedandunauthorizedexamplesofgrooming standardsfor:

• Tattoo/brands/bodymarkings

•Mustachewear

•Maleandfemalehairstandards

• Femalenailpolishcolorsandothercosmetics

Italso clarifiesdutybadgeguidance, explainingthewearandplace-

Frompilottopageantry:Meetthe1stactive-dutyMissAmerica

byKatieLange DoDNews

WASHINGTON(AFNS)—SecondLt.MadisonMarshmadebigplansforherselfwhenshe wasyoung,although sheneverreallyfactoredbecomingMissAmericaintothatequation.However,afteratoughcompetitionin January, Marshbecamethefirstactive-dutyservicemembertoearnthecrown.The22-year-old U.S. Air ForceAcademy graduateisnowlearningtonavigatelifeasamilitarymember,acancerresearchscholarandapublicfigure.

Anearlyeyeonthesky

Growingup,Marsh wantedtobeapilotandanastronaut,sosheattendedNASA’s SpaceCampatage13.When shelearnedthatshecouldfurtherherambitionsbygoingtotheAir ForceAcademy, shestartedworkingtoward becomingacadet,evenearninghercivilianpilot’slicenseat17yearsold.

In2018,Marshlosthermother, Whitney, topancreaticcancer Inherhonor, thefamilystartedtheWhitney Marsh Foundation,which raisesfundsforresearchand awarenesstoincreasepatients’ chancesofearlydetection. Marshtookontheroleofco-founderandpresident.

Thefollowingyear, MarshmadeittotheAir ForceAcademy,butsheinitiallyhadboutsofhomesickness.

“I wasstruggling—beingremovedfrommyfamily,grievingmymom,andnowI’minareallytoughmilitary environment,” shesaid,thinkingbackonherfreshmanyear.That’swhenshe wasinspiredbyhercousin,who was apageantcontestant,togivepageantryatry.“Idecidedtotakeastabatpageantstoseeallthedifferent waysthat itcouldhelpme.”

Highlightingsimilarvalues

Therearealotofstereotypesregardingbeautypageantsandthepeopleinvolvedinthem,butMarshsaidthere areactuallyalotofoverlappingcorevaluesthatpageantsandthemilitaryshare.

“Irealizedpageantshavealwaysbeenaboutcommunityservice,leadership, resumebuildingandpublicspeaking, andIthinkthatiswhatmademebeabletobesuccessfulintheAir Force,” shesaid.

Afteralotofstudyingandseveralinternships,includingwithNASA,MarshgraduatedfromtheAir ForceAcademyinthespringof2023withadegreeinphysics.Uponhercommissioning,shereceivedapilot’sbillet.Butsoon after,she wascrownedMissColorado,andhercareertrajectorystartedto change.

InSeptember,Marshdecidedtodeferherpilottrainingtopursueamaster’sdegreeinpublicpolicyfromthe Harvard KennedySchool–anoptionmadepossiblethroughtheAir ForceInstituteof Technology’sCivilianInstitutionPrograms.She’salsoagraduateinternatHarvardMedicalSchoolandisworkingwithexpertsfromtheDana FarberCancerInstituteonearlycancerdetectionresearch—continuingherworkforthefoundationdedicatedto hermom.

In January,MarshwonthetitleofMissAmericaduringthenationalpageantinOrlando, Florida.Betweenher Air Forcecommitment,herstudiesandnowthesepublic-facingduties, she’sgotalottojuggle.Thankfully,theAir Forcehasrolledwithher changeoffortuneandputherintoapublicaffairs/recruitingpositionfortheyearthatshe isMissAmerica.

“TheAir Forcehasbeenreally, reallywonderfulwithme,” MarshsaidduringaUSOeventsheattendedonCapitolHillin February.“Basically,anytimeIgoanddoMissAmericaevents,I’malsogivingbacktotheAir Forceto ensurepeopleknowaboutthemessageofwhatitmeanstoserveas2ndLt.Marsh—thedifferent waysthatthey cangetinvolvedinthemilitary,whetheritbeintheAir Forceorotherbranchesordifferentjobs.”

Honoringhermother

AsfarasherHarvardresearchgoes, Marshsaidshe’sstillworkingwithheradvisorandisexcitedaboutthepossibilityofbringingpotentiallegislationrelatedtotheirresearchtoCapitolHilloverthenextyear.

“NowIunderstandthesciencesideand[howtoask]medicalprofessionals,‘Whatdoyouthinkneedstobedone forpatients,andhowcanwegetthatdonethroughlegislation?’BecausethroughHarvard,eventhoughIonlygot todoonesemesterthere,Ihavelearnedthatitisreallyeasytomakebadpolicy,” Marshsaid.“Ithinkthebest way to makinggoodpolicyisbyintimatelyunderstandingfromthesource—withpatients—andintimatelyunderstandingthatscientificallysowe’reenactingitproperly. NowthatIhaveallofthosecommunitiesabletogiveme thatknowledge, I’mreallyexcitedtogettousethatpiecetocomeforwardhereontheHillandmaybegetsome thingsdone.”

(Aboveleft)U.S.AirForceAcademycadetMadisonMarshcalls outordersduringanacademytrainingexercise.Marshwentonto becomeMissAmerica2024,thefirstactive-dutyservicemember towinthecrown.

(Above)SecondLt.MadisonMarsh,whowonthecrownofMiss AmericaonJan.14,proudlyshowsoffherpurpleribbonlapelpin thathighlightspancreaticcancerawareness,adiseasehermotherdiedfromin2018.

Courtesyphoto

MissAmerica,Jan.14.

Courtesyphoto

Courtesyphoto

mentofuptothreedutybadgesonmaleandfemalesersemi-formal,formalandmessdressuniforms Lastly, arifiessisterservice/jointunitpatchwear, andprovidesgraduatepatchcriteria.

“Whenitcomestostandards, ourAirmenneedthebest guidancewecanoffer,” saidChiefMasterSgt.oftheAir Anne S. Bass. “These changesandupdatestothe publicationaremeantto clarifyprofessionalmilitaryappearanceanduniformstandardsacrosstheAir Forceand empowerallAirmento holdthemselves, andothersaccountable.PartofbeingaProfessionofArmsisembodyingthehighersetofstandardsthatcomeswithserving ourgreatnation.Accountabilitymatters. Standardsmatter—andtheoneswe walkby, theonesweignore, arethe onesweaccept.”

TheupdatedDAFI36-2903canbefoundhere. Space ForceGuardiansmustadheretoDAFI 36-2903inconjunctionwiththeGuardian-specificSPFGM2023-36-01.

RT FromPage2

TheSNORTisthe6thARW’snewestadditiontonuclearoperationalreadiness. Quarterly, thewingcompletesa NuclearOperationalReadinessExercise(NORE)topracticetheskillsneededinsuchahigh-pacedenvironment. Thisyear, the6thARWisheavilyfocusingtheirefforts inpreparationfortheNuclearOperationalReadinessInspection(NORI),designedtoevaluatethewing’scapabilitiesinanuclearevent.

“We wanttoensurethatwestayinthebestshapewe canforareal-worldevent,” saidChiefMasterSgt.Raun Howell,6thARWcommand chief..“Thistrainingimproves ourscoresforaNORIaswellasourresponsetimetoa worst-casescenarioenvironment”

Gettingaircraftintheairfastisn’tallaboutaircrew, though.Airmenfromacrossthebaseusedtheexerciseas additionaltimetopracticealertforceresponse checklists andpredeploymenttraininglikeincrementmonitors.

Airmenselectedtobeincrementmonitorsmustbuild andbreakdownpalletsofequipmentthattheirunitwill useduringadeployment.Thisequipmentisthenused byotherexerciseparticipantstosimulateadeployedenvironment.Whenareal-worldeventoccurs, theseAirmen,aswellasAirmenfromthe6thLogisticsReadiness Squadron,mustgatherequipmentquicklytoaidthoserespondingtothedisaster.

TheSNORTisaninnovativenew wayforAirmento becomemoreproficientineveryaspectoftheirmission.It showcasesMacDill’sabilitytoreacttoreal-worldthreats withspeedandpower, andrespondinthefaceofcrises.

Servicemembersassignedtothe1stJointCommunicationsSupportSquadroninspectequipmentduringamission readinessemploymentexerciseatMacDillAirForceBaseMarch7.Duringtheexercise,the1stJCSSteamwastaskedtocreateandoperateaforeignenvironmentcommand centerwiththecapabilitiestocommunicatevitalinformationlongdistanceswithoutendangeringtheoperationalsecurityofthemission.

Duringtheexercise, Atencioandtherestofthe1stJCSSteamweretasked tocreate andoperateaforeignenvironmentcommandcenterwiththecapabilitiestocommunicatevitalinformationlongdistanceswithoutendangeringtheoperationalsecurityof themission.

“Whatwefindiswithoutacommunicationsteamthereisno wayto relay informationfromonecommandtoanother,” said Atencio. “Theworkwedoconnectscommanderswiththerestoftheworldandsetsthefoundationforlatercrewstocreate along termnetwork.”

AccordingtoAtencio, theexerciseworkedasa “stresstest”forJCSEasawhole. Whiletheparticipantsunderwentrapidassembly conditions, therestof JCSEcontinuedtypical operationswithafraction ofthemanning.

Forastandardcommunicationsteam,theexercisewouldhaveplacedintensestress ondaytodayoperations, however, JCSE is structureddifferentlythanmostmilitary entities Theorganizationboastsajointpartnership betweenallbranchesandrequires servicememberstoreachtherankofstaffsergeantpriortoapplying.

Theuniquecompositionofnon-commissionedofficerscreatesahighlyeducatedenvironmentwithyearsoftechnicalskillseasingthelearning curve.

“TheadvantageofanallNCOteam isitensureswegetservicemembersthathave seenoperationsfirsthand,” saidAtencio. “Ina realworldscenario, youcantrustthey willplaytheirpartanddoitrightthefirsttime.”

Thisexerciseprovidedanopportunityfor communicatorsfromacrossthejointforce toreaffirmtheircapabilities andexcel in theirroles, developingabetterunderstandingoftheteam’srapidresponsereadinessmission.

PhotobySeniorAirmanZacharyFoster

Newhandlers, like U.S. Air ForceSeniorAirmanNathanKarlovich,quicklylearnthat askingquestions andembracingconstructivecriticismareessentialfor growth.

“Ifyou’renotwillingtolearnnewthingseveryday thenyoushouldprobablymoveon,” said Karlovich. “Alongsidepatienceandteamwork, thedrivetolearnis absolutelyessentialforacaninehandler.”

The6thSFSMWDteamcontinuallyworksto build a cultureconducivetolearning.

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt.Nicholas Woolridge, 6th SFS MWDkennelmaster, explains, “We are a family first. We takecareofeachother.”

Woolridgeemphasizestheethosofmutualsupport andrelentlesspursuitofknowledgethatpermeatesthe unit,“thebiggestthingis beingabletopassdownknowledgetothenextgeneration. Seeingthisprofessionalyou helpedtrain,seeingthemouttherekillingitintheAir Forcemakesit so meaningful.”

HereatMacDillAir ForceBase, the6th SFS MWD flightstandsasatestamenttodedicationandhard work,andisaninvaluablecontributiontothe U.S. Air Force. JennyandKarlovich, alongwiththeirsquadron, continuetosetastandardofexcellence, safeguarding thebaseanditsinhabitantswithunmatchedloyaltyand professionalism.

Military WorkingDogJennyparticipatesindetectiontrainingatMacDillAirForceBase March6.Handlersandtheirdogsundergodailytrainingtohonetheirskills,withafocus onnarcoticsdetection.Jennyisintheprocessofbecomingpatrolcertifiedwhichinvolvesadvancedtrainingthatunderscorestheimportanceoftrustandteamwork.

PhotobySeniorAirmanMichaelKillian

EVENTS

AnnualEasterEggstravaganza

The YouthCenterishostingan EasterEggstravanganzaMarch23 from10a.m.– noonatthe Fitness CenterSouth Field.Comeandenjoyfacepainting, DJ, foodtrucks, egghunts, games, prizes and of coursetheEasterBunny Egghunt timesasfollows:

EFMP10:15a.m.

Ages1-410:30a.m.

Ages5-810:45a.m.

Ages9-1211:00a.m.

Ages13+11:15a.m.

Adults11:30a.m.

To viewtheeventflyer, visit macdillfss.com/wp-content/uploads/ Eggstravaganza8.5X11flier.pdf.

2024Air ForceArtContest

Doyouhaveartisticskills?Registerandenteryour2Dand3D artworkforthe2024Air Force ArtContestfromMarch1–April 30.Thecontestisopentoeligible adultsand childrenages6-17. For moreinformationabout eligibility, submissions, prizes, judging andcategories, visitforcesupport. awardsplatform.com.

DownloadtheAirFest2024app

Getreadytosoaratthe Tampa BayAirFest,featuringthe U.S. ForceThunderbirds. Downloadthe AirFest2024apptodaytoaccess theschedule, performers, sponsors, staticdisplays, gatemap, foodand beverageoptions, hangar2exhibitors, and FAQs. Don’tmissouton thisthrillingevent March28-30 –downloadnow(availableonthe AppStoreandGooglePlay)and planyourunforgettableexperience.

Here’s to Rosie!

Airmenassignedtothe6thAirRefuelingWingposeforagroupphotoontheflightlineatMacDillAir ForceBaseMarch1.Theair refuelingmissionprovidedan opportunityforwomenacrosstheinstallationtoexperiencetheimpactoftheireffortsfirsthand.Incelebrationof Women’sHistoryMonth, Airmenworea redbandanainspiredby“RosietheRiveter,”asymboloffemaleempowermentinthe workforce.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

Normal Hours- Monday - Friday - 9 a.m.to 3p.m. After hours chaplain, callthe Command Post at 828-4362/4361.

Monday-Wednesday Mass - 12:10p.m. www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

Catholic Mass - Sunday - 9:30 a.m. (confessionsby appointment)

Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com

Protestant services - Sunday - 11 a.m. Contact the Chapel at 828-3621or email at 6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil for inquiries regarding Protestant religious education.

Jewish - Monthly Lunch and Learn: For schedule &tojoin distro,pleasecontactelimelach.estrin@us.af.mil

Islamic Service - Friday 1:30 p.m.(space reserved)

OtherFaith Groups - Pleasecontact the Chapelat (813)828-3621orviaemail at 6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil

Formoredetailsandinformation,visittheChapelFacebookpageat http://www.facebook/6amwhc/ or MacDill’s Chapel website is: https://www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

PhotobySeniorAirmanZacharyFoster

Shesaidit’salsoablessingforhertobeabletosharehermother’s storyonsuchalargestage.

“Losingherwhenshe was41topancreaticcancer—I wantpeopleto knowherstory. I wantthemtoknowthesigns, the waystogethelp … becauseIdon’tthinkwedoenoughforpancreaticcancer,” Marshsaid. “Mymom wasmisdiagnosedwhenwehadnocancerhistoryinourfamily. She washealthy. Shedidn’thaveanyofthose warningsigns, andshe stillpassed away. We needtodomoreforourpatients, andbeingable tohaveanationalplatformandavoicenowtoworkwithpeopleisso important.Ican’tthinkofabetter wayto[showcase]thelegacyofmy mom.”

Dispellingmisconceptionsaboutpageantryandservice

Asthefirstactive-dutyservicemembertoearntheMissAmerica crown,Marsh’snationalplatformmayhelpdispelthelingeringassumptionthatmilitaryrolesaretoomasculineforthe averagewoman.Marsh saidyoungwomencan makeanypositiontheirown.

“Ihopethatwomenareabletoseethattheycandefinetheirownrole inthemilitary—whetherthey wanttotakeitinthemorefeminine pathornot—knowingthattheyareempoweredtomakethatdecision,” Marshsaid.“Ihopeyounggirlscanseethatyoucanleadinthe military, oryoucanleadinaboardroom,inthecourthouse, inmedical boardrooms—whateveritmightbe—andyoucanbetakenseriously. WhetherI’minacrownandsashorwhetherI’minmyuniform,Iserve as2ndLt.MarshandIserveasMissAmericasimultaneously, andthey donottake away fromoneanother.”

WhenitcomestoMissAmerica,thereareseveralphasesofcompetition: thepublicandprivateinterviews, thetalentportion,theevening gownandfitnesscompetitions, aswell as thesocial impact pitch.BetweenmilitaryfitnessrequirementsandherworkwiththeWhitney Marsh Foundation, thelattertwoweren’taproblemforMarsh. Forher, shesaidthehardestpart wastalent.

“I’mnotconventionallytalented Ican’tfight, sing, danceorplay an instrument—everyonewouldrunoffwiththeireyesandears closed,” shejoked. “So, Ididamonologueonmyfirstsoloflight.It wasreally nerve-wrackingbecauseI’mnottrainedintheater…andIknewthe weightofwhatIhadtocarryinmyspeech—thatIneededtodeliver

itperfectly, soI wasabletocarrythestrengthandtheimageofwhat I wantedmilitarywomentobeportrayedas. So, thatpressure wasweighingonmebackstage, andit wasreallyscary.”

Forservicemembersconsideringpageantry

Whenaskedwhatadviceshehadforotheractive-dutywomenconsideringgettingintopageantry, heranswer wassimple.

“Justdoit,” shesaid,mentioningallthedifferentopportunitiesthat haveopenedupforher. “Withoutpageants, Ineverwouldhavehadthis giantplatformforcommunityservice, andyoucanreallydowiththat whateveryou want.Theyleaveitasablankslate. …TheMiss America opportunityhasalsoenabledmetopracticeso much onpublicspeaking, andthatisaskillthatyouneedthroughoutthemilitaryandthroughout therestofyourlife.”

Nottomentionthegreatscholarshipopportunities.

“Ireceived$70,000ineducationalscholarshipsthroughMiss America,andIthinkthat’ssuchabeautiful waytoopenupdoorsforyouand whateverphaseoflifethatyou’rein,” Marshsaid. “So, Iwould challenge allthemilitarywomentojoinanddoitbecauseit’sonlyupfromhere. I wouldlovetoseesomemoregirlsinuniformshowingupandcompeting intheMissAmericaopportunity.”

HerAir Forcefuture

Withinfiveyears, Marshwentfrombeingasmall-towngirlto a strong, successfulfigurewho’sblazingapathinpublicpolicy, cancer researchandthemilitary Shesaidshe’sstilltryingtocomprehenditall.

“IfeellikeIhaven’thadamomenttobreatheyettoletitallsink in,butIwillsayIdofeelverylucky. Withoutthisopportunity, Iobviouslycouldn’tshareallthewonderfulthingstheAir Forcehasgivenme, whetheritbealltheopportunitiesattheAir ForceAcademyornowbeinganofficer,” shesaid.

Marsh clearlyhasalotonherplateatthemoment. As farasherfutureintheAir Forcegoes, shesaidatthispoint,anythingis possible.

“Thisyearhasjustopenedupsomanyopportunities,” shesaid.“The Air Forcehasgivensomuchtometolet me dothisyear[asMiss America],andI wanttomakesurethatIhavemybestskillsetandtrainingin mindwithwhateverjobtheyputmeinpost-Harvard,becauseI wantto ensurethatIgivebacktotheminthebest waythatIpossiblycan.”